stroke volume is measured by a cardiologist using a test called an echocardiogram--basically an ultrasound of your heart. it measures the volume of blood that your heart pumps out with each contraction. athletes have a high stroke volume, and are healthy, so usually this is not a variable that is measured for healthy people.
VO2 max is the amount of oxygen that is utilized at maximal effort or near max effort--it is measured on a treadmill by a cardiologist or an exercise physiologist. the athlete wears a mask while running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. this variable alone can help predict performance at endurance sports, but other variables are critical too, like lactate threshhold pace, running economy and a whole lot of other variables, some of which are genetically based and some which can be improved with training. VO2 max testing is relevant for competitive endurance athletes and recreational endurance athletes who are trying to improve.
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